McFarlane Toys is giving collectors another reason to revisit the arcade days of Mortal Kombat, but this time it’s not just about adding more fighters to the collection.
Three new McFarlane Mortal Kombat Klassic Versus two-packs have been revealed, pairing Baraka with Smoke, Johnny Cage with Shang Tsung, and Kung Lao with Jax.
What makes these sets interesting is the extra equipment. Rather than simply putting two standard figures in one box, McFarlane has included special move effects, alternate heads and fighting stage displays.
But at nearly $60 a set, are they worth picking up?
Release Date: December 2026 expected, with GameStop currently listing 19 December.
MSRP / Price: $59.99 USD per two-pack.
Edition Size / Production Run: Not announced.
Manufacturer / Licence: McFarlane Toys / Mortal Kombat.
Three New Mortal Kombat Matchups
Baraka vs Smoke
The Baraka vs Smoke McFarlane set is probably my favourite of the three. Baraka’s appearance is instantly recognisable, while Smoke’s grey ninja outfit gives the pairing a good contrast.
Both figures include interchangeable heads and hands. Baraka comes with a spark effect and a present, while Smoke includes two smoke effects and his kunai weapon attached to a string.
Smoke’s accessories are particularly appealing. They should allow collectors to recreate some of his trademark attacks rather than leaving him standing in a basic fighting pose.
Johnny Cage vs Shang Tsung
The Johnny Cage vs Shang Tsung McFarlane set takes a slightly different approach, with Shang Tsung appearing in an alternative blue outfit.
Johnny includes his sunglasses, a photograph, interchangeable hands and a green energy attack. Shang Tsung gets two fireball effects, alternate hands and another head.
I like the inclusion of Johnny’s sunglasses and photograph. They’re small accessories, but they add some personality to a character who was never short of confidence.
The blue Shang Tsung is also an interesting choice, although collectors who already own the character might prefer a completely new fighter.
Kung Lao vs Jax
The Kung Lao vs Jax McFarlane pairing offers some great options for recreating fights.
Kung Lao includes his removable hat, interchangeable parts, a swoop effect and a small rabbit accessory referencing his Friendship finishing move. Jax comes with extra hands, another head, a swoop effect and a ground smash effect.
For me, the rabbit is a brilliant little addition. It’s exactly the sort of accessory that makes these figures feel connected to the original games.
More Than Just Two Figures in a Box
All three sets include two flight stands and a fighting base with a reversible cardboard backdrop.
The stands can connect directly to the base, allowing both characters to be posed during a fight. Each figure also uses McFarlane’s Ultra Articulation system, with up to 22 moving parts.
That’s important for Mortal Kombat figures. Characters need to manage high kicks, punches and crouching poses without looking too stiff.
However, these are still promotional images. We won’t know how well the joints hold their poses, or whether the larger accessories affect balance, until the figures are in hand.
The sculpted costumes look close to the classic arcade designs, although the visible articulation joints might bother collectors who prefer a cleaner appearance.
Are the Versus Two-Packs Worth $59.99?
At $59.99, you’re effectively paying $30 per figure, which is the same as the standard single releases.
The extra heads, special move effects and fighting displays make the two-packs look like better value, provided you actually want both characters. We’ve already covered the earlier Mortal Kombat Klassic figures, including the Liu Kang vs Reptile release.
You can also look back at our McFarlane Mortal Kombat Klassic figures review to see how the collection started. My biggest concern is buying another version of a character simply to get the accessories. That could become expensive for anyone trying to complete the line.
Personally, I’d go for Baraka vs Smoke. The weapons and smoke effects offer plenty of posing options, and it’s a pairing I’d happily display together.
The real question is whether collectors want these ready-made battles or would rather McFarlane concentrate on releasing more individual characters.